8 Ways To Make A Generator Safe For Electronics?
10 Min Read
You may think that generator power is a one-way street, but in reality, it’s anything but. For starters, there are many different types of generators on the market and each generates its own type of voltage depending on what kind they produce: AC or DC.
Generators provide us with clean electric power by converting kinetic energy (fuel) into electricity - this process doesn’t always go as planned though. Even good combustion engines can cause fluctuations in speed which affects not only fuel efficiency but also the voltage.
The power is always fluctuating with open line generators, which can damage sensitive electronics such as phones and TVs. Harmonic distortions in the power create momentary surges and drops that can cause all kinds of problems with these items, leading to a shorter lifespan for all of your electronic devices.
However, there is a solution to this problem and that’s by finding ways to shield your electronic equipment from these power spikes or dips in voltage by employing one of techniques as detailed below.
How to make a Generator Safe for Electronics?
It’s hard to find the right balance between protecting electronics from power fluctuations and enhancing them. There are a variety of methods that can be used, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses which may require different solutions for optimal performance.
1. Inverter Generator
Choosing a generator with an inverter is the best way to ensure that your electronics are not fried during power outages. A power inverter turns AC into DC and back again, producing stable electricity which will keep all of your gadgets happy!
If you already have a generator without this piece but need one for stability purposes, just pick up an inexpensive converter and plug it in - no installation necessary.
Inverter generators are the perfect choice for those looking to run sensitive electronics without interruptions. They come at a slightly higher price than open line generators, but it’s worth the money when you want uninterrupted power in your home or office.
Invertor Generators is the smart choice for when you want to keep your electronics running smoothly.
2. Surge Arrester
Your house is susceptible to power surges from different sources. These can come in the form of lightning, mains electricity or a generator and they are very harmful for your electronics that you might have in your property such as TVs, computers etc.
You need surge protectors to stop this damage from happening which will cost you money but it’s worth investing because without them all of those expensive items would be at risk if there was an electrical disaster like say a storm coming through with strong winds.
These could knock out some live wires causing potentially fatal electric shocks so people should always make sure their home has enough protection against potential dangers like wild weather conditions!
3. Surge Protector
The surge protector is your home’s last line of defense against power surges that can damage electronics. This lifesaving device detects when an excess voltage enters the system and redirects it to a grounding wire instead of through your devices.
Surge protectors are designed for protecting electronic devices from power surges that occur on the grid or if your generator happens to be out-of-wack. They detect excess voltage in the input then redirect it back into the grounding wire, so don’t worry about anything happening with your electronics!
Surge protectors are an important part of protecting your electronic devices. But, if you’re not careful installing them wrong can lead to a surge in the electricity bill and even worse. So make sure you read the instructions!
4. Power Line Conditioner
Power line conditioners are devices that eliminates the noise in electrical power making it stable during blackouts and when you’re using open-line generators.
These power line conditioners can also remove many types of noises from input power, including EMI or RFI interferences, overvoltages, surges - among others.
There are many benefits to power line conditioners, and it is possible they will be the only device you need in order to make your generator safe for electronics.
5. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
The UPS is the device that stores power in a battery then supplies it to electronics when there’s an outage. The amount of time given for this, usually just minutes, allows people enough time to properly turn off their devices before they stop functioning completely.
When it comes to selecting a UPS for your devices, you have two options: purchase one large device that will service the whole home or get smaller ones that only serve one or a few of them.
When looking for good units with which to protect your gear from power outages and spikes, consider these aspects before making any significant purchases:
- How many outlets are
- The size/capacity of the unit
- What amperage is being provided by each outlet
You don’t want your devices to crash on you due to a power outage right when they’re needed most. A UPS is the answer, and it’s always best if you can find one with a generator mode that helps regulate the unstable flow of electricity from generators that might die down abruptly without warning.
If you have a ton of devices, then it’s useful to get (UPS) for each device. However, if all your house needs is power in the event of an emergency and nothing more than lights or TV
Then it might be smarter just to go with what’s called protection from surge voltage which can cost as little as fifty bucks versus hundreds on installation fee plus monthly maintenance fees.
Full Output: While it’s wise to get a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) that covers the whole house, the wiser still would be getting one for every single device because some may not need much electricity at all!
6. Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)
Automatic voltage regulators are devices that help to regulate the output of a generator. They do this by smoothing out fluctuations in load and RPM, resulting in more consistent power than you would get from a standard alternator with no automatic regulator.
Automatic voltage regulators don’t convert AC into DC as they operate on an alternating current rather than direct current format as well-meaning inverter generators can do for adjustments themselves but cannot eliminate inconsistent energy like real ones!
7. Electronics Are Not Connected On Started Up
Unplugging devices before an anticipated storm makes landfall - Turning off circuit breakers at your home when utilities experience disruptions.
It’s best to switch on your electrical appliances after the storm has passed “you don’t want the electronics running during surges”
8. Keep The Generator Dry at All Times
When it comes to generators, water is the enemy. So you should be mindful of where your generator sits and how often you use it in rainy weather.
You should always take into account the location of an indoor AC installation and set up your generator in a dry space. You should avoid installing it in areas that are too humid or dusty as this can compromise its functionality which could cause spikes.
Can Generators Actually Damage Electronics?
Conventional generators are designed with heavy reliance on fuel consumption and run at 3,600 revolutions per minute (RPM) for direct AC power at 120 volts or 60Hz frequency output, but because generators don’t output steady power there are fluctuations.
When the power drops and surges it can be extremely harmful to electronic devices.
Inverter generators on the other hand are much better and produce a constant, steady voltage of electricity without any harmonic distortion and this is because they have a much more complex mechanism that converts AC to DC power and then back again.
There are many other reasons why inverter generators are preferred over conventional ones. But the main reason is they can produce electricity without damaging electronics thanks to their smooth output and lack of spikes in voltage that could fry the circuits on your high-tech devices.
Unfortunately, a Non-inverter generator and can harm your small electronic devices, unlike the inverter generator that does not have this problem because it filters out any spikes in the voltage providing clean power to electronics that need it.
Protecting The Electronics
Inverter generators are a great piece of machinery that can handle the power for just about anything. But as they say, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to regulating their usage and managing its outputs.
There are many things you should consider before using an inverter generator like how long is needed to charge up your battery or what type will be best suited for your needs in terms of size?
These machines have various run-time aspects which need consideration so make sure you know all this information beforehand if not before then at least during use!
- Use Heavy-Duty Power Cords
- Keep The Fuel Levels Topped Up
- Never plug The generator into a wall
Conclusion
When you’re powering your home with a generator, it’s important to take precautions to protect the sensitive electronics in your house and hopefully after reading this article you have learned some quick tips for making sure that you can use your generator safely and without risk of damaging expensive equipment.
With this information, you will be able to determine which generator could work best in your home or business so you don’t have any fears about damaging any expensive tech items while trying to stay prepared for emergencies.
